Hackers use Google to access photocopiers

Using Google hacks — requests typed into the search engine that bring up cached information on networks — hackers are discovering and using login details for networked photocopiers so they can watch what is being copied.

“You don’t have to be a genius to do this,” said Jason Hart, security director at Whitehat UK. “You can see what people are photocopying on your monitor. You just have to search for online devices on Google.”

Google stores billions of Web URLs and information sent from Web servers. Some Web servers, if configured incorrectly or left to default, can accidentally broadcast network information, such as IP addresses, login details and device information. Google, like many other search engines, stores this information, which can be recalled at any time